EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's ice hockey team hosted UW-River Falls in Game 1 of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) O'Brien Cup finals on Monday. Despite never trailing in regulation, the Blugolds would fall in overtime to the Falcons, 3-2.
Emma Peterson (Sr. – Superior, WI) got things started for Eau Claire just minutes into the game. Her sixth goal of the year came from out in front with assists coming from Addie Young (Jr. – Superior, WI) and Samantha Scherling (So. – Rogers, MN). The Falcons would answer later in the period to tie things up, Sam YOung (UWRF) found the back of the net.
In the second period, Eau Claire would once again come out firing. Maddy Jablonski (Fr. – Greenville, WI/Hortonville) would bury a rebound out front to take back the lead on the powerplay, just 53 seconds into the middle frame. With special teams seeing plenty of ice time for both sides, River Falls would answer with a powerplay goal of their own just before the period ended to level things. The third period would see both sides with many chances, but overtime would be needed to settle the contest.
Callie Hoff (UWRF) caught a break for the Falcons just 21 seconds into the extra frame, as she picked off a pass in the offensive zone and beat the Blugold netminder for the game-winning goal.
Stephanie Martin (Yorktown, VA/Tabb) stopped 25 of the 28 shots she faced and is now 4-1-1 on the season.
The Blugolds will travel to UWRF for Game 2 of the series on Wednesday, March 17th. Puck drop is scheduled for 7PM.
Follow all the action all season long at Blugold Gameday.
